Not only is it important to know how to protect yourself and others from the dangers associated with exposure to infectious materials, but regulatory agencies require certified training for anyone who is involved in packaging and shipping highly infectious materials. This Packaging and Shipping Infectious Materials course will provide you with the certified training that you need to perform these tasks safely. Learn to classify infectious materials so that they are packaged and shipped properly, practice packaging various substances through interactive participation in real-life scenarios, and finally, demonstrate your understanding of packaging and shipping infectious materials and receive a certificate of training.

DURATION

5 days

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is designed for health care personnel who package, ship, and transport Division 6.2 hazardous materials such as patient specimens and cultures. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Identify who must receive training in packaging and shipping infectious materials, what must be included in the training, and what records must be maintained.
• Identify the classifications of hazardous materials and define Division 6.2 infectious materials.
• Identify specimens that are classified as Category A or Category B infectious substances and specimens that are exempt substances.
• Determine the type of packaging that is necessary based on the type of specimen, the classification of the specimen, the size of the specimen, the temperature at which the specimen must be maintained during shipment, the specimen components, and the mode of transportation.
• Determine the labels and markings that are required for packages containing category A or category B substances.
• Discuss the importance of security awareness when packaging and shipping hazardous materials.

COURSE CONTENT

Module I: Course Introduction

• Packaging and Shipping Infectious Substances
• Organizations Responsible for Regulating Transport of Hazardous Materials

Module II: Training and Record Retention

• Who Must Receive Training?
• Training Requirements for Packaging and Shipping Category A Substances and Dry Ice
• Training Records and Frequency of Repeat Training

Module III: Categories of Division 6.2 Hazardous Materials

• Classifications of Hazardous Materials
• Definitions
• Category A Definition and Examples
• Category A UN Identification Numbers and Proper Shipping Names
• Category B Definition, Shipping Name, and Identification Number
• Department of Transportation (DOT) Classification Decision Tree
• DOT Classification Decision Tree, continued
• DOT Classification Decision Tree, continued
• DOT Classification Decision Tree, continued
• Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements that May Apply to DOT Nonregulated Specimens
• DOT Classification Decision Tree, continued
• IATA Classification Decision Tree
• IATA and US Postal Service Exempt Specimens
• Classification Scenario 1
• Classification Scenario 2
• Classification Scenario 3
• If the blood sample in Scenario 3 that was collected for routine cholesterol screening is being sent by air on an IATA member airline (such as Fed Ex)...
• Classification Scenario 4

Module IV: Packaging Infectious Materials

• Packaging Considerations
• Selecting the Shipping Container
• Packaging for Category A Specimens
• Restrictions Applying to Category A Substances Transported By Air
• Packaging for Category B Substances
• Additional Packaging Requirements for Category A and Category B Substances
• Materials of Trade
• Exceptions for Category B Substances When Transported by Motor Vehicle as Materials of Trade (MOTs)

Module V: Labels and Documents

• General Labelling Requirements
• Labelling and Marking a Package Containing a Category A Substance
• Labelling and Marking a Package Containing a Category B Substance
• Dry Ice
• Overpack
• Category A Packages: Shipper's Declaration For Dangerous Goods
• Preparing the Shippers Declaration for Dangerous Goods: FedEx Ship Manager Software
• Completed Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods Form
• Air Waybills and Shipping Labels
• Transporting CategoryA Infectious Substances by Motor Vehicle

Module VI: Packaging and Labelling Scenarios

• Four scenarios will now be presented to evaluate your understanding of the material that has been presented on classifying, packaging, and labelling.
• Scenario 2A sputum specimen from a patient suspected of having tuberculosis is being sent by commercial ground carrier to a reference laboratory. The ...
• A specimen that is classified as a category A substance affecting humans is being transported by aircraft at ambient temperature (does not require ref...
• What additional markings/labels would be added if the specimen needed to be kept cold, and dry ice is used as a refrigerant?

Module VII: Security Awareness

• Security Awareness
• Security Training Resource

Methodology

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

GENERAL NOTES

• This course is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in the respective fields of practice. The course is taught through a mix of practical activities, theory, group works and case studies.
• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.